| Scout Network | |
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| Organization: | The Scout Association |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Age Range: | 18 to 25 yrs |
| Prev. Section | Next Section |
| Explorer Scouts | Oldest Section |
The Scout Network, is a section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 18 to 25 year olds, introduced in 2001 and, along with the Explorer Scout section, replaced the Venture Scouts (which was for 15.5 to 20 year olds). Network is the responsibility of Counties/Area.
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History and organisation
Following the review of UK Scouting in 2001, the Scout Network section was introduced as one of two new sections (the other one being Explorer Scouts) to replace Venture Scouts, the previous senior section. There were a number of significant differences between the organisation of the Venture Scouts and the Scout Network. Firstly, the age range was altered to cater for those young people aged 18 to 25 years. The Explorer Scout section was introduced to fit between Scouts and Scout Network. The administration of the Scout Network was to be the responsibility of the County or Area, whereas the Venture Scout Units were attached to local Scout Groups. Finally, the section was to be led from within, where the membership would provide the leadership necessary, under the guidance of an appointed County Scout Network Commissioner. There would, essentially, be a single Scout Network for the entire County - which was perhaps one of the contributing factors in the lack of initial success suffered by the new section. To begin with, almost all Counties had little or no membership in the section. Many of the old Venture Scout units converted to Explorer Scout units - leaving perhaps just one or two older people without a Network. However, some Counties took the lead and introduced a unit-based system (mostly based around old Venture Scout Units) coordinated by County. The slow start was eventually recognised by the Scout Association and the Network review was launched in 2006. This concluded that a more structured leadership needed to be in place within the Counties. The County Scout Network Commissioner is now supported by a number of Scout Network Leaders. These can either be attached to units or may have specific roles at a County Network level. Each County, therefore, can now officially have multiple Local Networks which are independent but also participate in County-wide activities. Local Networks are placed where needed and may either be District based or locally based but with responsibility for the Network being retained by the County. As mentioned above, the 2006 review introduced the option for a District to hold responsibility for a Scout Network, though this change must be agreed by the District Commissioner, County/Area Commissioner and County Scout Network Commissioner (CSNC). All Networks should have a Network leader, who is essentially an advisor or mentor to the members. So the review marked a return to the unit-based system that seemed to work well in the various Counties that had already "unofficially" introduced the system. Following the review, the section has improved enormously and in many areas is growing quickly. The County Network is run by a committee made up of Network members representing their individual Networks. A Chairman and other officers are nominated. The CSNC and Network leaders provide support as necessary to this committee. A member of a Network can - and usually does - have a role as an Adult Leader in the Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, or assist their District, or Area/County at support Level, help as an activity instructor or perhaps as a member of a campsite service team. Or they can just go to Network meetings - another role is not compulsory. They also have the possibilities of working on their Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Association's progressive award scheme, culminating in the Queen's Scout Award.
Awards
There are several awards available in the Network Scout Section, and these badges are almost the same as the ones that are available in the Explorer Scout Section.
- The Network Scout Moving On Award
- The Network Scout Membership Award
- The Chief Scout's Diamond Award
- The Queen's Scout Award
- The Explorer Belt
In addition, many members working towards their Chief Scout's and Queen's Scout Awards also work towards the Duke of Edinburgh scheme of awards in parallel, as there are many similarities.
Events and activities
Networks are, for the most part, run by their members. This means that they are very flexible and able to do most activities - as long as they stay within the rules of the Scout Association (Policy, Organisation and Rules). Individual Network programmes vary enormously, but a typical one might include weekly, bi-weekly or monthly evening events, along with several camps or other weekends away throughout the year. There are many camps that Network members are able to attend, and each Network member is not restricted to their own Area or County. As a general rule if there is an event you want to take part in you are more than welcome to notify the responsible Area/County and go along. These can range from Monopoly Run in London to Evo in Hampshire. The biggest of these events is the National Gathering, held around Easter of each year at Great Tower Scout Campsite. These types of events tend to include evening discos and parties, live music, and many different activities. Expeditions also figure as part of the residential programme. Some events are designed for people who only come from that area/county and it is normally advertised as such. National events, international events and local events open to other network members can be listed and viewed on the Network Events website at www.network-events.org.uk.
See also
| Scouting Portal |
External links
| Beaver Scouts | Cub Scouts | Scouts | Explorer Scouts | Scout Network |
Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding around the world
